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Abstract: There are currently no herbicides registered in Argentina for the selective control of grassy weeds in annual canarygrass (Phalaris canariensis L.). The principal grassy weeds are darnel ryegrass (Lolium temulentum L.) and wild oats (Avena fatua L.), which cause grain yield and quality losses. The potential of diclofop-methyl and clordinafop-propargyl for their control was assessed through greenhouse and field trials, in which crop phytotoxicity and weed control efficacy were evaluated. It was found that (i) field application of clordinafop-propargyl resulted in severe crop damage, except for low doses that did not affect the species to be controlled; (ii) although field application of diclofop-methyl resulted in a certain degree of phytotoxicity on wild oats, these effects were insufficient for efficacious control; and (iii) field and greenhouse application of diclofop-methyl between 200 and 500 g a.i. ha−1 revealed differences between crop sensitivity and that of darnel ryegrass. In this range, crop phytotoxicity in the greenhouse was less than 20% compared to more than 60% in the weed, and in the field only slight crop phytotoxicity symptoms were observed. As in the greenhouse, field application resulted in significant phytotoxic effects upon darnel ryegrass, high efficacy levels, a low survival rate amongst treated plants and a notable reduction in seed production by surviving plants. Only the highest dose (500 g a.i. ha−1) in one of the field trials resulted in a significant reduction in crop grain yield. Hence diclofop-methyl application appears to offer a promising means for controlling darnel ryegrass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its good mechanical characteristics, low cost and high availability in the current market, sisal fiber is one of the most used for the manufacturing of biocomposites in various industrial fields (automotive, marine, civil construction etc.). The particular sub-fibrillar structure of the sisal fiber (similar to aramid fibers) and the corresponding anisotropic behavior detected by recent research activities, suggest that such biocomposites should exhibit also high impact strength, in such a way to permit their advantageously use also for the manufacturing of crashworthy components (bumpers, helmets, protection systems etc.), that are at the same time also eco-friendly, lightweight and cheap. Through a low-velocity impact tests campaign, integrated by computer tomography (CT) and carried out on various "green epoxy"/sisal laminates, by varying the main influence parameters such as reinforcement distribution, fiber volume fraction and lay-up, it has been detected that angle-ply laminates exhibits specific impact performances superior to those of biocomposites reinforced by other natural fibers (flax, hemp, jute, etc.), and comparable with those of the best composites specially reported in literature, so that they can be actually used to substitute the synthetic materials for the manufacture of interesting eco-friendly energy absorbing devices, that are also lighter and cheaper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]